Means for charging hydraulic systems for guns



Sept. 1, 1964 P. H. GIROUARD ETAL 3,146,672

MEANS FOR CHARGING HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS FOR GUNS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 27. 1952 ATTY Sept. 1, 1964 P. H. GlRoUARD ETAL 3,146,672

MEANS FOR CHARGING HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS FOR GUNS Original Filed Aug. 27. 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 musa/v Ran/ampli /foMAs c. [ULL/ER Sept. 1, 1964 P. H. GIROUARD ETAL. 3,146,672

MEANS FOR CHARGING HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS FOR GUNS Original Filed Aug. 27. 1952 SePt- 1, 1964 P. H. GIROUARD ETAL- 3,146,672

MEANS 4FOR CHARGING HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS FOR GUNS Original Filed Aug. 27. 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 1, 1964 3,146,672

MEANS FOR CHARGING HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS FoR GUNS P. H. GIROUARD ETAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Aug. 27. 1952 United States Patent O 3,146,672 MEANS FUR CHARGNG HYDRAULEC SYSTEMS FR GUNS Philias H. Girouard, Washington, DC., Carl V. Hickman,

deceased, late of Kensington, Md., by Jean W. Hickman, administratrix, Washington, D.C., Gerold A. Kane, John l. Nelson, Milton C. Neuman, and Harrison Randolph, Minneapolis, Minn., and Thomas C. Collier, Portsmouth, NH., assignors, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy @riginal application Aug. 27, 1952, Ser. No. 306,612. Divided and this application July 25, 1958, Ser. No. 754,122

4 Claims. (Cl. S9-d3) The present invention relates to major caliber guns with calibers of the order of magnitude of live inches or greater preferably employing separate or semi-iixed ammunition and intended to be effective for both anti-aircraft and surface fire and particularly to the mount structure for such guns and the ammunition handling features thereof.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No. 306,612, tiled August 27, 1952, by the present applicants.

In guns of this caliber it is highly desirable that a substantially normal or conventional position of the gun trunnions be mantained in order to keep the weight of the gun at a minimum in effecting a proper gun balance. In the present invention the gun can be loaded in any position of elevation and of course in any position of turning or training. This makes the invention of high utility in anti-aircraft use.

The instrumentalities for so loading the gun are practically all automatic in their operation and when so operated, are for the most part hydraulically actuated, suitable inter-locks being provided to insure the proper sequence of operation and to prevent improper firing of the gun. While the gun of the present invention is to be understood as having a conventional turret mounting, in that it is intended primarily for naval use, this is not necessarily essential. Other well known types of gun mountings may be employed within the purview of the present invention to make the gun available for general military use, whether naval or otherwise. While in the embodiment of the invention illustrated only one gun is shown, it is obvious that the inventive concepts and much of the structure described would be equally applicable to a mount carrying more than one gun.

The mount in general has means for supplying ammunition to the gun including a lower hoist installed on the fixed structure of the ship or other foundation. Said hoist comprises one or more hoist tubes. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, said hoist comprises a pair of spaced tubes. The units or rounds of ammunition are automatically fed to said tubes respectively by loaders. There is a loader for each tube and the units or rounds of ammunition are manually fed t said loaders. (It may be noted that this is the only manual operation involved in the operation of the mount while in automatic operation, and further that the manual feed can be continued in order to replenish the ammunition in the various mount parts receiving the same at all times during automatic operation.)

The said loaders are identical and while their structure may be varied to suit the particular ammunition used, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated each loader comprises a casing in which are disposed two superposed rotatable drums arranged in axial alignment. Each drum has a series of circumferentially spaced chambers. These chambers in the upper drum receive the projectiles and said chambers in the lower drum receive the powder 3,145,572 Patented Sept. 1, 1954 lice cases. The casing has an opening for each drum provided with one or more swinging doors and the powder cases and projectiles are pushed against and past said doors through said openings into said chambers in the respective drums. Said drums are automatically rotated or indexed and means are provided for preventing indexing while ammunition is being fed into said drums and for locking said doors to prevent feeding of ammunition while said drums are being indexed. This protects the operators. The drums move the profectiles and powder cases into alignment with and into said hoist tubes or passages. The lower hoist has chains moving through said tubes to elevate the ammunition in said tubes to a rotatable carrier. A support is provided for the projectile when moved into said tube and this support is moved from beneath the projectile allowing the latter to rest on top of the powder case and the round is thus moved up in tandem with the projectile riding directly on the powder case plug. The chains in the lower hoist tubes are equipped with retaining members which prevent shocking of the ammunition units during deceleration of the hoist.

The carrier to which the round of ammunition is delivered by said lower hoist is rotatably mounted on a central column which depends from the gun supporting portion or mount proper. The said carrier has circumferentially spaced chambers which receive the ammunition from the tubes of said lower hoist. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, said chambers in the carrier are spaced degrees apart. The carrier is automatically rotated to bring the chambers thereof into alignment with one or more tubes or passages of an upper hoist, which upper hoist is carried by and rotates with the gun or the mount proper. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the upper hoist has two tubes spaced 180 degrees apart. The Carrier has a control machanism which receives information as to the position of the mount proper, and the velocity and direction of rotation of the mount proper. This information is added mechanically and the carrier drive and control mechanism therefor is triggered to cause rotation of the carrier in a direction which will bring its said chambers into alignment with the said tubes of the upper or lower hoists in the shortest period of time. The carrier is provided with latches which are operated to latch it to the upper and lower hoists respectively. Either chamber of said carrier can deliver to either tube of the upper hoist.

The ammunition is automatically transferred laterally from the chambers in the carrier to the tubes of the upper hoist while the carrier is latched to the upper hoist. Upon completion of the transfer the carrier automatically returns to the lower hoist and is latched thereto in position to receive further ammunition from the lower hoist.

The upper hoist, which is illustrated as a shuttle hoist, elevates the units or rounds of ammunition to a cradle. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, two cradles are provided. one at each side of the gun. Said cradles are respectively carried on arms which respectively swing about the axis of the gun trunnions. The cradle comprises a casing having a chamber therein which receives the unit or round of ammunition from the upper hoist while said chamber is in a substantially vertical position, vertically aligned with an upper hoist tube and latched to the upper hoist. The cradle is then automatically swung upward to bring the casing and chamber thereof into position at the rear of the gun and substantially parallel to the gun axis and alongside a transfer tray. The round of ammunition is then automatically transferred laterally or sidewise from the cradle to said transfer tray.

ln the embodiment of the invention illustrated two transfer trays are provided, one at each side of the spaeter/a gun adjacent the rear thereof. The round is clamped in position in the transfer tray and while the transfer tray is in its receiving position, the mechanical time fuse is set. The fuse pot of the fuse setter mechanism is automatically moved to engage and set the said time fuse and the fuse pot is then retracted.

Each tray is moved from a receiving position in which it is substantially parallel to the gun axis and at one side and adjacent the rear of the gun, in which position it receives the round from the cradle, to a discharging or ramming position in axial alignment with the gun bore. The round is then rammed from the tray into the breech by the rammer. The transfer trays are alternately moved to a ramming position so that one tray is being loaded while the other is having the round rammed therefrom. As soon as the rammer cross-head has cleared the forward end of the transfer tray the transfer tray starts back to receiving position.

The breech block is raised to closing position immediately after the rammer is retracted.

As soon as the charge is tired the breech block is lowered. The operation of the breech block both in closing and opening is automatically and hydraulically powered. Triggering of the opening cycle of the block is accomplished by valving which is actuated during recoil.

An empty case tray is provided which moves from a receiving position in which it is in substantial alignment with the gun bore to a discharge position below the gun bore. The empty case tray moves to its receiving position between each movement of a transfer tray to ramming position. Suitable interlocks are provided to prevent any interference of the transfer trays and the empty case tray.

A discharge chute for the empty cases is provided into which the empty cases are discharged by the empty case tray. The empty cases are then moved through said chute and are discharged at the end thereof.

In the light of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide a mount for a gun comprising means for supplying ammunition to said gun including a series of cooperating mechanisms which move the round from the loading deck to the gun.

It is another object of this invention to provide a mount for a gun having parts powered from an accumulator system, a recoil mechanism for said gun together with means actuated by the recoil of said gun for charging fluid into the accumulator system.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a mount for a gun, including a breech block movable to operative or closed position and to inoperative or open position, together with a novel and elcient power operated mechanism for moving said block to said positions.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the mount, some parts being broken away;

FIG. la is a schematic perspective view of the upper portion of the mount, some parts being broken away; FIG. lb is a vertical section taken substantially on line lb-lb of FIG. la looking forwardly as indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 2 is a View in front elevation of the principal portions of the mount; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a booster mechanism for one of the hydraulic accumulators and illustrates components actuated during recoil and counter-recoil of the gun for charging the entire hydraulic system of the gun.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the various parts of the booster mechanism for the accumulator of the hydraulic system, a general description of the mount in connection with the showing in FIGS. l, la, 1b and 2 will be given.

As above stated, the mount comprises the loader which includes two identical loading devices. Each of these devices comprises the lower casing 2t) and an upper casing 24. A powder case drum is rotatable in each casing 2t) and a projectile drum is rotatable in each casing 24. The powder cases are pushed into the casing Ztl and into the powder case drum by the operator. The case is pushed against and past a pair of resiliently mounted doors 51 and the projectiles are similarly pushed into the casings 24 and into the projectile drum through a similar pair of doors. The powder case drums and the projectile drums are rotated or indexed step by step and the round of ammunition comprising the powder case and projectile is brought into alignment with the hoist tubes 190061 in the casings 1900 of the lower hoist. Chains 19%3 move in the casings with and have pawls thereon which engage the bottom of the powder case and move the same upwardly in said tubes. The projectile rests on top of the powder case and is moved up by the same.

The lower hoist moves the round comprising the powder case and a projectile into a round-receiving chamber in a carrier Stttl. The carrier 300 at its lower end moves within a ring 316 having a circumferential ange supported upon the main deck. The casings 19th) of the lower hoist at their upper ends are also within ring 316. The carrier rotates on ball bearings about a central column 392 which is secured to a frame which depends from and is secured to frame 15 and thus depends from the gun support or mount proper. Carrier 3ft@ has a spider adjacent its lower end. The carrier has round-receiving chambers in casings 32:6 at each side thereof.

An upper hoist is provided and this comprises the hoist tube casings Sill which are carried by brackets 303 secured to a portion 39251 of the central column which is in turn secured to frame I5. The casings 301 are degrees apart. The upper hoist thus rotates with the central column and thus with the mount proper on which the gun lil is mounted. The round of ammunition is transferred laterally by suitable mechanism from the chambers in the carrier 30? to the tubes of the upper hoist in casings stll. The carrier 30G is rotated so as to bring the round-- receiving chambers therein into axial alignment with the tubes of the lower hoist and is la-tched in such position. After receiving the round the carrier is rotated to bring the chambers therein into lateral or radial alignment with the tubes in the upper hoist and is latched to the upper hoist in this position.

The upper hoist moves the round to and into a cradle 902. Cradle 9d?. comprises a generally cylindrical casing open at its receiving end. The cradle when in receiving position is in axial vertical alignment with a tube of the upper hoist and is latched in this position. Said cradle 9492 is carried on an arm 9d() which is in turn oscillatably mounted upon a journal projecting from and coaxial with the gun trunnion 12b so that said arm 906B swings about the axis of the gun trunnion. Arm 900 has pivotally connected thereto an arm 904 which comprises a hydraulic cylinder 964:1 and piston 90% so that it is extensible. Arm 994; is pivoted at its other end to the base ring attachment member 967. When the round of ammunition has been transferred to the cradle by the upper hoist, arm 904 is extended and the cradle is swung upwardly to a position adjacent the rear of the gun and with its axis substantially parallel to the axis of the gun. The cradle is guided in this movement by an arcuate guide bar 992.

The upper position of the cradle 962 is its discharge position and it is then alongside and parallel to the transfer tray 1100 and is latched to the slide 12. Mechanism is provided to transfer the round sidewise from the cradle 902 into the transfer tray M00. The fuse of the projectile is set by the fuse pot 1531 while the round is in the transfer tray. The transfer tray 1100 is then swung down to be coaxial with the bore of gun 1t) and the round is then rammed by the rammer spade 1700 from the tray litt) into the breech of the gun.

Accumulator Booster Mechanism One of the novel features of the present mount is a mechanism for supplying liquid to the high pressure accumulator, which mechanism is actuated by the energy of the recoil and counter-recoil of the gun. It may be stated that during recoil, fluid is compressed in a chamber and the pressure developed by said compression acts to cause counter-recoil and move the gun back into battery. Referring to FIG. 3, the gun housing 11 which moves with the gun in the recoil movement has connected thereto a piston 2202 which lits in a cylindrical chamber 2204 formed in a portion of the gun slide 12. Chamber 2204 has an elongated portion in which the enlarged end 2202a of a piston 2202 fits, and also has an enlarged end portion 2204a. diameter 2202b at its forward end which fits into a bore extending from chamber 2204 and has a rear pontion of reduced diameter which extends to and is connected to the gun housing. Piston 2202 has a central passage 2202c extending therethrough from which a passage 2202d extends transversely to chamber 2204. Passage 2202c has an enlarged portion formed in portion 220211 forming a valve chamber and in which a ball check valve 2206 is disposed arranged to prevent movement of iiuid to the left in passage 2202c as seen in FIG. 3. The passage 2202c is connected at one end to the high pressure accumulator conduits of the case extracting mechanism and the breech block operating mechanism. A passage 2207 extends from the upper portion of chamber 2204 at the rear end thereof and communicates with a conduit 2203 which extends to the high pressure accumulator 2210. A passage 2212 extends from the forward reduced portion of chamber 2204 and communicates with a conduit 2212a which extends to the low pressure or supercharge pressure, hereinafter referred to as PS, from the empty powder case extractor mechanism and the breech block mechanism. A conduit and passage 221211 extends from conduit 221211 to a chamber 221411 formed in a low pressure accumulator 2214 mounted on the gun slide. Passage and conduit 2212 and 221211 have disposed therein a check valve 2215 so arranged as to be closed when Vpressure is exerted thereon from the front side thereof. 'A passage and conduit 2216 extends from conduit 2212b to and through the slide above cylinder 2204, as shown in FIG. 3, and this conduit and passage 2216 extends to the low pressure pump (not shown) which supplies the PS pressure. Conduit 2216 has connected thereto a branch 2216a which is connected to the PS system which includes portions of the operating mechanism for the rammer and the transfer trays. A passage and conduit 2218 extends from [the rear end of the chamber 2204 to and through a central portion 2214b extending from one end of the low pressure accumulator 2214. A branch 221811 of this conduit extends to the high pressure side or the PA side of the high pressure system including operating mechanism for the rammer, the operating mechanism for the transfer trays, the operating mechanism for the empty case ejector, and the operating mechanism of the fuse setter mechanism. Portion 2214b fits in a cylindrical chamber 2220a, formed in the reduced end portion of a piston 2220 which is movable in the large chamber -2214c in one end of the low pressure accumulator casing 2214, which chamber is ported to the atmosphere at 2214d. Piston 2220 has an end portion of reduced diameter which fits in a bore at the rear of chamber 221411 and is movable in a chamber 2214@ formed in one end of cas- Piston 2202 also has a portion of reduced A2214 by a coiled compression spring 2226.

ing 2214. A passage and conduit 2222 extends from the rear end of chamber 2214e to a header tank 2223 from which a conduit 2223a leads to tank. A passage 2214f extends from the rear of chamber 221411 and extends about the rear reduced end of piston 2220. A switch IR7A has an actuating plunger adapted to engage one end of a plunger 2224 movable in passages in the wall of casing 2214, the same being urged inwardly of casing The inner end of plunger 2224 is disposed so as to be engaged by the periphery of the reduced end of piston 2220. It will be noted that passages 2207, 2216 and 2222 pass through the ltrunnions 12b of the gun slide. Trunnions 12b are mounted in journals 13b which are provided with annular passages 13C. By means of the annular passages 13C the passages 2207, 2216 and 2222 can remain in fluid communication with their respective passages when the gun mount is raised or lowered in elevation.

A device is provided to indicate Vthe pressure in the accumulator 2210. This was provided so that it would be vcertain that there was enough pressure in the accumulator to operate all the mechanism through a tiring cycle in the event that the accumulator pump went out of action. A valve casing 2228 is provided having therein a chamber 222011 in which is movable a valve 2230 having spaced lands which control spaced ports to which are respectively connected the conduits 2231 and 2232 extending from the accumulator line or conduit 2208. Valve 2230 is engaged at one end by a plunger 2233 urged to the left, as shown in FIG. 3, by a compression coiled spring 2234. A valve chamber 222Sa is formed in casing 2228 which has a passage 2228c extending centrally therefrom communicating with a chamber 222819 formed in an extension of casing 2228. A piston 2236 is movable in chamber 222819 and is moved toward valve 2230 by a coiled compression spring 2237. Passages and conduits 222011 extend from valve chamber 222811 at each side of passage 2220c to a conduit 22281: leading to tank. A switch IRGABC has an actuating plunger arranged to be engaged by a stem projecting from valve 2236.

A lter 2233 is provided from which a conduit or passage 2239 extends to a valve block 2240. Valve block 27240 has a chamber 2240a therein and a passage 2240b leads from this chamber through another filter 2242 to a passage 2240c extending to the outer side of block 2240 and which is closed by a removable threaded plug 2244. A valve 2245 is arranged to close or open the passage from conduit 2239 and another valve 2246 is arranged to open or close a passage 2240d leading to the atmosphere from chamber 2240a.

` Operation of Accumulator Booster Mechanism In operation the parts other than those connected to the valve blocks 2228 and 2240 will occupy the position shown when the gun is in battery. When the gun is fired, the housing 11 Will move to the right in its recoil movement, as shown in FIG. 3. Piston 2202a will move into the smaller portion of chamber 2204 and this move- -ment will cause closing of the ball check valve 2206. The fluid or oil in chamber 2204 to the right of piston 2202a will be forced to the right in the recoil movement andwill be forced out through passage 2207, into conduit 2208, and into the high pressure accumulator 2210. Piston 2202a in moving to the right, as shown in FIG. 3, moves Vagainst PA pressure. This tends to decelerate the movement of the gun and other recoiling parts. As piston 2202b moves to the right, uid will be drawn into chamber 2204 through passage 2212 and conduit 2212a and through the check valve 2215 which will now be opened. This uid can pass from the low pressure accumulator 2214 through passage 2212]: or from the PS in the empty powder case exterior and breech operating mechanism through passage and conduit 2212a.

When counter-recoil occurs, the gun housing 11 will move to .the.l,eft, 'as shown in FIG.. 3. The fluid which a has lled the chamber 22014.l at the left of piston 2202a will now be moved to the left by said piston 2202a and the same will pass through the bore 22026, past check valve 2206, out through passage 2202d, into the chamber 2204, and out through passage 2207 and conduit 2208 to the high pressure accumulator 2210. As piston 2202 moves to the left, fluid will be supplied into chamber 22041 through the conduits 22l8 and 2218i; from the PA line to the rammer, transfer trays, case ejector and fuse setter mechanism. It will be noted that valve 2215 will be closed by the force of the fiuid when piston 2202 moves to the lett. Fluid is thus forced under high pressure into the accumulator 2210 both on recoil and counter-recoil.

As stated, conduit 2226 leads to the low pressure pump and PS will be pumped through said conduit to the low pressure accumulator 2214. When this pressure reaches a certain point, piston 2220 will be moved to the left, as shown in FIG. 3, and the passage 2214f will be uncovered. The fluid entering chamber 221Mo can then bypass into chamber 2214@ to the header tank 2223. When the small portion of piston 2220 passes plunger 2224, the same will be moved into chamber 2214e by spring 2226 permitting operation of switch IR7A which will indicate that the low pressure accumulator is fully charged. When piston 2220 moves to the right, plunger 2224 will be cammed down to the position shown and again actuates switch HUA. Said switch will then indicate that the low pressure accumulator is not fully charged.

The PA in line 2218 tends to move piston 2220 to the right, as shown in FIG. 3. This PA however acts against the small surface at the end of chamber 2220a. The low pressure accumulator pump forces fluid through conduit 22mg into chamber 221% and against a large surface of piston 2220. Piston 2220 can thus be moved and the PA in chamber 222001 merely forms a cushion for the low pressure accumulator and piston 2220.

The accumulator pressure which is high pressure liquid from the accumulator 2220 or PA is supplied through conduit 2231 to chamber 222851. This will move piston 2230 to the position shown in FIG. 3 against the resistance of spring 2234. Should the PA pressure rise beyond a certain point, valve 2230 will be moved farther to the right, thus moving plunger 2233 so that passage 2228d will be uncovered and the iiuid can then pass through said passage and through passage 2228e to tank. When valve 2230 thus moves to the right, PA can pass around the central portion of said valve and through passage 22280 and will move plunger 2236 upwardly against the resistance of spring 2237. This will operate the switch IR- GABC and this will indicate that there is excessive pressure in the high pressure accumulator. As soon as the pressure is relieved to the desired point, spring 2234 will move valve 2230 back to the position shown, thus cutting oii` PA to plunger 2236. Said plunger will now be moved down to the position shown by spring 2237. Switch IRABC will again operate and will be in position to indicate that pressure in the accumulator 2210 is at the desired point.

It is desired to have a certain amount of air at one end of accumulator 2210. If it is desired to supply air to said accumulator, plug 2244 will be removed and the air supply line connected into passage 22406. Valve 2245 will be opened by a suitable wrench applied to the outer end thereof and air can then be forced through passages 22406, 224% and 2239, through filters 2242 and 2238 into the accumulator. Should it be desired to reduce the air supply, valve 2245 will be opened, as will also valve 2246. Air will then pass through filter 2238 and passage 2239 into chamber 2240i; and out through passage 224id to the atmosphere. When the air supply has been adjusted, valves 224-5 and 2246 will of course be closed and plug 2244 again placed in position.

From the above description it will be seen that the energy of the recoil and counter-recoil of the gun is used to force liquid into the high pressure accumulator. It will thus be necessary to operate the high pressure pump for only a shorter period than if the energy of recoil and counter-recoil were not so used, which high pressure pump is used to charge the acccumulator.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a gun system, a gun mount for supporting a gun which is operated in rapid-lire sequence, by a hydraulic system provided with high pressure pumping equipment, a gun operably carried on said mount, an accumulator adapted to receive high pressure fluid, a gun housing movable with said gun in recoil and counter-recoil, a stationary cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and movable with said housing in recoil and counter-recoil, a passage leading from said cylinder on a first side of said piston to said accumulator, said piston moving relatively to said cylinder in recoil to pressurize the liuid on the first side of said piston to a high pressure condition and force the high pressure fluid from said cylinder through said passage and into said accumulator, means for supplying low pressure fluid to said cylinder on a second side of said piston and means for pressurizing the low pressure fiuid to a high pressure condition and establishing fluid communication between the second side of said piston and said passage and accumulator in response to movement of said piston relatively to said cylinder in counter-recoil, whereby a high pressure operating condition is maintained within the hydraulic system and a reduced operating time is required of the high pressure pumping equipment.

2. In a gun system in which loading, empty case eX- tracting, and firing operations are eifected in response to actuation of hydraulically controlled components in predetermined sequence by a hydraulic system; a gun mount, a gun operably carried on said gun mount, a stationary member having a chamber therein, a second member having a rst side and a second side and movable in said chamber to pressurize and move fluid therein, said second member being movable with said gun in recoil and counter-recoil, an accumulator adapted to receive high pressure liuid during recoil and counterrecoil, means for forcing high pressure iiuid on the first side of said second member from said chamber into said accumulator as said second member moves relatively to said chamber in recoil, means for supplying low pressure iiuid to said chamber on the second side of said second member as the latter moves relatively to said chamber in recoil, and means for pressurizing said low pressure liuid to a high pressure condition and forcing the latter iiuid into said accumulator as said second member moves relatively to said chamber in counter-recoil, whereby a high pressure operating condition is maintained in the hydraulic system and the operation of pressure actuated components of the gun system is assured.

3. In a gun system, a gun mount for supporting a gun, a gun operably carried on said mount, having in combination, a source of low pressure fluid, an accumulator adapted to receive iiuid under high pressure, a stationary cylinder having a first fiuid passage therein connecting one end of the cylinder to said accumulator and a second fiuid passage connecting the other end of the cylinder to said source of low pressure iiuid, a piston disposed within said cylinder and movable with said gun during recoil and counter-recoil, a third fluid passage connecting said first and second passages, a check valve in said third passage and actuated to a closed position in response to movement of said piston during recoil and to an open position in response to movement of said piston in counter-recoil, and a check valve in said second fluid passage and actuated to an open position in response to movement of said piston during a recoil to admit low pressure iiuid to said other end of the cylinder and actuated to a closed position in response to movement of said piston during counter-recoil to isolate the said other end of the cylinder from the source of low pressure uid whereby the low pressure fluid in the cylinder is pressurized to a high pressure condition and the accumulator is charged with high pressure fluid during both recoil and counter-recoil movements.

4. A trainable gun mount for elevatably supporting a gun, a pair of horizontal trunnions on said mount and having at least one fluid passage therein, a gun integrally connected to said trunnions for movement in elevation in response to rotation of the latter, trunnion journals carried by said mount and having at least one annular fluid passage provided therein in communication with the fluid passage in said trunnions at all elevation settings of the gun, said gun being movable in counter-recoil, interior surfaces of the mount defining a chamber, a member movable in said chamber with said gun in counter-recoil, an accumulator for receiving lluid, said passages connecting said chamber to said accumulator, means for supplying low pressure Huid to said chamber, and means for pressurizing the low pressure uid to a high pressure condition and forcing the high pressure uid from said chamber into said accumulator through said passages by movement 10 of the gun and member in counter-recoil.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A GUN SYSTEM, A GUN MOUNT FOR SUPPORTING A GUN WHICH IS OPERATED IN RAPID-FIRE SEQUENCE, BY A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH HIGH PRESSURE PUMPING EQUIPMENT, A GUN OPERABLY CARRIED ON SAID MOUNT, AN ACCUMULATOR ADAPTED TO RECEIVE HIGH PRESSURE FLUID, A GUN HOUSING MOVABLE WITH SAID GUN IN RECOIL AND COUNTER-RECOIL, A STATIONARY CYLINDER, A PISTON MOVABLE IN SAID CYLINDER AND MOVABLE WITH SAID HOUSING IN RECOIL AND COUNTER-RECOIL, A PASSAGE LEADING FROM SAID CYLINDER ON A FIRST SIDE OF SAID PISTON TO SAID ACCUMULATOR, SAID PISTON MOVING RELATIVELY TO SAID CYLINDER IN RECOIL TO PRESSURIZE THE FLUID ON THE FIRST SIDE OF SAID PISTON TO A HIGH PRESSURE CONDITION AND FORCE THE HIGH PRESSURE FLUID FROM SAID CYLINDER THROUGH SAID PASSAGE AND INTO SAID ACCUMULATOR, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LOW PRESSURE FLUID TO SAID CYLINDER ON A SECOND SIDE OF SAID PISTON AND MEANS FOR PRESSURIZING THE LOW PRESSURE FLUID TO A HIGH PRESSURE CONDITION AND ESTABLISHING FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SECOND SIDE OF SAID PISTON AND SAID PASSAGE AND ACCUMULATOR IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID PISTON RELATIVELY TO SAID CYLINDER IN COUNTER-RECOIL, WHEREBY A HIGH PRESSURE OPERATING CONDITION IS MAINTAINED WITHIN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND A REDUCED OPERATING TIME IS REQUIRED OF THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMPING EQUIPMENT. 